ＡＣＣＥＳＳ Oct - Nov 2008

Yamaguchi prefecture has a sister-city relationship with Gyeongsangnam-do province in Korea that began on June 21, 1987. Gyeongsangnam-do province is located in the southeastern section of Korea near Busan. Busan was also a part of Gyeongsangnam-do until 1963 when it became a directly governed city. There are many festivals throughout the year in Gyeongsangnam-do province, a number of which are related to nature and the arts. If you are planning to take a trip to Korea in either October or November, here are three festivals that you might want to consider attending.

The Sweet Persimmon Festival is a two-day festival that takes place every October in Changwon City. The festival is a means of showing support for local farmers who face competition from overseas persimmon farmers as well as a showcase for Changwon’s delicious persimmons. There are many persimmon themed events, such as a persimmon eating contest, a persimmon stacking contest, persimmon tasting, and a Miss Persimmon contest. Other events include fireworks, an orchestra performance, and a Taekwondo exhibition.

The Eoreumgol section of Miryang City is home to the Eoreumgol Apple Festival, which takes place every year from the end of October to the beginning of November. Events include musical performances and a seminar on apple cultivation. The festival hopes to promote both the apple and tourism industries of Miryang City, which claims to have the best apples in Korea. The cool temperatures of Eoreumgol, literally “Ice Valley,” are perfect for growing apples, and the lack of rain in September and October helps to reduce sourness.